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Galarraga excited for ex-teammate Verlander

Galarraga excited for ex-teammate Verlander

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Armando Galarraga

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SAN DIEGO -- While the rest of his teammates headed out for pre-batting practice stretching, D-backs pitcher Armando Galarraga lingered in the visitors' clubhouse at PETCO Park for a few moments and watched former teammate Justin Verlander celebrate his no-hitter Saturday afternoon.

Galarraga, then with the Tigers, gained fame last season for his perfect game that wasn't when first-base umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly ruled Jason Donald safe at first base with two outs in the ninth inning. Donald hit a grounder to first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who tossed to Galarraga covering, and replays showed Galarraga touched the base before Donald.

Joyce, though, called Donald safe and Galarraga had to settle for a one-hitter.

As the Tigers mobbed Verlander, Galarraga smiled.

"That's exciting," he said. "It's the best thing for a pitcher. He's great, this is his second time."

Did it bring back memories for him?

"Oh, sure, yeah," Galarraga said before breaking into laughter. "I thought it was going to be a ground ball to first for the last out. If it was, people would have remembered me. If he had got a ground ball to first, [Verlander] would be laughing. He'd probably call me."

Galarraga had one last thing to do before heading out to join his teammates on the field.

"I sent him a text to congratulate him," Galarraga said. "He's a great guy, works hard."